xboxlaunchpartyChristmas is coming a wee bit early for gamers out there, as two next generation consoles are set to hit shelves in the next week-and-a-half.

ps4First, the $399 PlayStation 4 goes on sale this Friday, Nov. 15. Sony is putting on a extravagant launch event in New York City at the The Standard, High Line Hotel starting at 8 p.m. PT where they’ll be selling 444 additional consoles. If you can’t make it, Spike TV is streaming the event on Ustream. There’s also a big launch event taking place in San Francisco.

If you’re looking to actually purchase a PS4, several stores are opening their doors at midnight. Select Best Buy, Wal-Mart, GameStop, Meijer and Sony Stores are participating, but it’s a good idea to call the retailers in advance to make sure.

xboxoneMeanwhile, one week later, Microsoft will have its own launch parties across the world for the $499 Xbox One starting the evening of Nov. 21. Like Sony, the Redmond software giant is holding its biggest bash in New York City, complete with a performance from Seattle’s own Macklemore & Ryan Lewis at the Best Buy Theater. You can tune in at 8 p.m. PT on Spike TV, Xbox.com or Xbox Live to watch the festivities. There’s an equally-big party taking place in Los Angeles.

Microsoft has planned several other launch events around the world from Sydney to London to New Zealand, where the “first Xbox One” in Auckland is currently guarded by sharks — however, it’s technically not the first Xbox One on the market thanks to a Target shipping error last week.

The 75 Microsoft Stores will hold midnight launch events, while Best Buy, GameStop and Walmart stores are doing something similar. There are more than 10,000 retailers in 13 countries, including EB Games, FNAC, Gameans, Media Mrtk, Sam’s Club, Saturn, GAME and Tesco, that will be selling the Xbox One at midnight on Nov. 22.

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